Welcome to the Fantasy Football Waiver Wire for Week 3. Week 2 (so far) hasn’t produced the offensive lights show that we saw in Week 1. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t free agents worth adding via the Waiver Wire. In fact, this week offers more value than last week. As the injuries pile up, so does the need to work the wire to your advantage.
The Process: Each week, I try to identify the top Waiver Wire targets and evaluate the short- and long-term prospects of those players. I also do my best
to reveal which players who are coming off a big week are fool’s gold. Finally, I look at streamers who might help you in a pinch (this is usually more important during Bye weeks). Note that I’m writing this column BEFORE the Week 2 Monday night game (NYG @ LAR).
Some players discussed won’t be available in your league. I try to list players who are available in more than 50% of leagues. But what does that even mean? A 10-team league with six bench spots will have a much larger Free Agent pool than a 14-team league with eight. Most leagues fall somewhere in between. This isn’t “one size fits all.” By way of example, I won’t list DeVaughn Vele, Rachaad White, Woody Marks, Romeo Doubs, or Kaelon Black this week, among others who probably aren’t available in any of your leagues.
Two quick reminders: (1) If you’re in a league that uses FAAB bids to process waivers, remember that your dollars are worth more right now than they will be later, since you’re using them to buy players for the entire season, potentially; and (2) Fantasy managers overreact to early season performance (or lack thereof). Keep an eye on who gets dropped this week. You might be able to scoop up someone else’s discarded treasure. There’s a lot of season left.
WEEK 3 BYES: NONE
Week 3 Waiver Wire
Quarterback:
I mentioned both Tyler Shough and Bryce Young in last week’s column. Now I’ll scream those names. Through two games, Young is the QB2 at 28.3 fantasy points per game (FPPG), trailing only the other-worldly Josh Allen, and Shough is the QB5, at 23.8 FPPG. That pace won’t continue, but both QBs are well situated to keep producing as low-end QB1s/high-end QB2s. They’ve got ample weapons, and sub-par defenses that require them to push it. And both run enough for it to matter. Young’s next two games: Browns and Lions. Come on…
With three starting QBs now injured (Sam Darnold, Jayden Daniels, and Caleb Williams), there are fantasy managers in need of a second QB in 2-QB formats. The biggest knock on Kirk Cousins going into this season was that we didn’t know when the Raiders would switch to Fernando Mendoza. Well, they’re 2-0, and playing pretty well, so Captain Kirk (QB11, 18.5 FPPG through two games) might be under center for a while. He hasn’t even had Brock Bowers at his disposal yet. He’s a sneaky add if you’re stuck.
Others to think about if you’re stuck: Marcus Mariota and Tyson Bagent — both have produced before (for fantasy) when called upon. Of the two, Mariota will almost surely get more starts in the immediate future.
If you want a stash in a Superflex format and have the space, consider Michael Penix, Jr.
Running Back:
Jonah Coleman was one of my favorite deep sleepers coming into the season. The question was when he’d get the opportunity to potentially take over Denver’s backfield. Well, that opportunity might have arrived early, with R.J. Harvey and – shocker – J.K. Dobbins both banged up. Coleman was solid in Week 2 and is a priority add if he’s on your waiver wire.
Alvin Kamara returned in Week 2 and saw good usage and especially in the passing game (five receptions on six targets). New Orleans has a good, up-tempo offense and he should be rostered in all formats.
Two other backs worth adding this week are Emmanuel Wilson and Kaleb Johnson. Wilson is Seattle’s clear favorite for goal line work (and in that offense, that’s big), at least until Zach Charbonnet returns. Johnson not only out-touched Marshawn Lloyd this week, but Lloyd, who had major ball security issues in college, lost a fumble in a game that Green Bay eventually won in overtime. I’d rank Johnson right behind Coleman in terms of priority
Finally, Tank Bigsby shouldn’t be on waiver wires, because coming into the season he was the most clear-cut handcuff to a #1 bell-cow. But if he is, grab him, and especially now that Saquon Barkley is dealing with an injury.
Wide Receiver
There are always multiple names to consider at receiver, and the challenge is figuring out which big performances, and high usage rates, are sustainable after a spike week.
Adonai Mitchell is entrenched as the Jets’ #2 WR, and has some big play ability. Geno Smith and the Jets aren’t terrible this season. He’s in the WR3/Flex range and especially with rookie Omar Cooper, Jr. on IR. Mitchell saw 12 targets this week, which is very promising.
Tre Tucker is currently benefitting from increased target volume with Bowers out, but he’ll always have serious big play potential as he showed this week with a 40-yard TD catch – part of a 100-yard game for him. It won’t be consistent, but he’s going to have more big games, as the team’s WR1.
Rashod Bateman was on my waiver adds list last week (and my sleepers list for Week 2), and he’s worth rostering, and possibly starting, for as long as Zay Flowers is out. Even when he returns, it’s a very thin receiver room.
Others to consider: Denzel Boston, Malik Washington (and especially if Caleb Dougas is going to miss time), Khalif Raymond (two straight weeks as the Bears leading receiver), and Dontayvion Wicks.
Another week, another 49ers’ WR lost to injury (DeMarcus Robinson). It’s hard to recommend anyone else on their depth chart, but keep an eye on usage this week.
Tight End:
Three players to consider if you need help: Darren Waller (two TDs this week, albeit on just three catches), Ordonde Gadsden, Jr. (David Njoku was carted off with a knee injury, and the Chargers badly need a jump-start after what’s easily been the most disappointing start in the league – OK Texans, we’ll hold your beer), and Dalton Schultz, although in his case the production and targets will surely revert once Nico Collins returns.
Good luck with your waiver claims!
***This column appears each Monday right here at Big Blue View. Each Thursday, my weekly fantasy preview with my rides, fades and sleepers (start/sit) appears here, and on Fridays you can find my weekly Giants Props of the week, also right here. ***
